Bastien's Arc

Chapter 8 of 9

The fire burned low. Zain rose without a word and pulled Bastien up by the hand. He led him past the dying flames to the canvas tent, where a wide bedroll waited inside. Striped fabric. Tasseled edges. A nest made for two. Zain lay down first and drew Bastien down against him. Bastien settled into the curve of his arm, cheek against the dark hair of his chest. The canvas walls held the heat close. Outside, the bonfire popped and settled. "I have missed you," Bastien said. The words came out before he could weigh them. "I love you. I have for a long time." Zain's hand stilled on his back. "There is a boy at your cottage. The one with the wristband like mine." His voice was even, measured. "Fallon." "I know," Bastien said. He did not lift his head. He felt Zain's slow breath, and the leather band on his own wrist, and the one against his shoulder. "You can have both of us." Zain's arm tightened. He did not speak. The choice was made, and it would cost him something he had not yet counted.